The final cut: Hair Excitement sold to Regis Salons; former owner to coach basketball

Tuesday

Sep 30, 2008 at 3:15 AMSep 30, 2008 at 10:32 AM

SOMERSWORTH — Hair Excitement has long had a significant presence in New England; but the regional powerhouse is now entering a new phase after being purchased by the international mammoth Regis Salons.

By LESLIE MODICA

SOMERSWORTH — Hair Excitement has long had a significant presence in New England.

But the regional powerhouse is now entering a new phase after being purchased by the international mammoth Regis Salons.

More than 300 employees gathered at the Great Bay Gallery Monday for what they thought was going to be a presentation of a new product line and hair show.

But the crowd was shocked when owner John Langlois announced he sold the company, an announcement that sent the group on a roller coaster of emotions that ranged from standing ovations to nostalgic tears.

In a tearful speech, Langlois thanked his employees for their service and told the crowd the decision was the result of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live out a dream: to coach college basketball.

With the sale, Langlois is leaving the business after about 25 years to coach at Daniel Webster College.

Before the crowd could even finish gasping following Langlois' announcement, he was encouraging the employees to tap into the "power of positive thinking."

And for a little extra reinforcement, both Langlois and Regis representatives assured wary workers that the operations of the salons would be "business as usual," including their pay, vacation, benefits and sales incentives.

In addition, the branding that has taken decades to develop will remain the same and the salons will continue to be named Hair Excitement and use the same products, Andy Cohen, president of the Regis Salon division, said.

"Hair Excitement is going to stay Hair Excitement," Cohen said. "It's a great culture. We are not going to 'Regisize' Hair Excitement."

But although the salons will still carry the Hair Excitement name, the business is moving from having 23 regional salons to being part of a massive corporation with more than 13,000 salons worldwide, a statistic Langlois said is a positive one for employees.

"You just went from the best and the biggest in New England to the biggest and the best in the world," Langlois told his employees.

But the initial reactions to the change were as varied as the emotions during the event.

"This is a wise business decision," Christa Robinchard, who works in Manchester, said. "It's good to have a major corporation backing you."

But Brittany Holt, who works in Milford, said she is still unsure how to react to the announcement, which she said "shocked" her.

"I'm soaking it in," Holt said.

Temesin Morrison, who works in Laconia, said she "never expected this." The 12-year Hair Excitement employee said she is nervous about changes, as she hopes the company will maintain the qualities that have kept her there for so long.

Lindzi Lessard, who also works in Manchester, said despite the big news, she expects the group will be able to weather the change.

"We're hairdressers," Lessard said. "Change is always good."

But the change is bittersweet for Langlois, who said he is thrilled to be living out his dream, but overwhelmed by losing what has been a major part of his life.

"My employees," Langlois said of what he will miss most. Immediately after, Langlois was interrupted by two teary-eyed women who hugged him as they wished him well and thanked him for his dedication.